Bolsonaro has been taken into custody after authorities found he posed a definite escape threat while under domestic detention.
The one-time leader was sentenced of orchestrating a military coup in last fall and sentenced more than a 27-year term in prison, but he remained under confinement pending court reviews.
High Court Judge the presiding justice said the move to detain the 70-year-old politician was a precautionary step after fresh information were revealed.
This involved trying to remove his electronic bracelet and a call for a public vigil that could enable a potential flight.
Judicial Records Show Escape Concerns
In a filing authorising the custody, Justice Moraes said information from the unit overseeing his home detention suggested the one-time head of state's "intention to break the surveillance device to ensure success in his escape.
This, it said, would be assisted by the disorder caused by the protest called by his son.
His offspring, his son Flávio, who holds office as a congressional representative, called for a assembly of his followers near his father's house to take place on Saturday night.
His son wrote on digital networks on the previous day: "Are you going to fight for your nation, or observe everything from your smartphone there on your sofa? I invite you to fight with us."
He said the vigil would be so followers could offer prayers for his health and for the reestablishment of democratic governance in our land."
Embassy Asylum Concerns
Part of Justice Moraes's decision was the chance of the former president's "relocation to foreign missions near the dwelling, considering that the investigations revealed a background of arranging to seek refuge through a diplomatic representation", a declaration said.
The legal document emphasizes that the US embassy in the federal district, Brazil's capital, is located around approximately 13 kilometers from the former president's residence.
International Reactions
Bolsonaro's legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow conservative nationalist US President Trump, leading him to enact a half-rate duty on goods coming from Brazil.
He is being kept in a national police facility in Brazil's capital city and will undergo a custody hearing on the following day.
Latest Court Petitions
It was only on Friday that the his legal team asked the Top Court to allow him to fulfill his full incarceration period under house arrest, with tracking devices.
They also petitioned that the former president be authorized to leave his home for medical care, saying he demanded frequent medical attention for pulmonary infections and other health problems.
Details of Guilty Verdict
He was determined responsible of heading a conspiracy aimed at retaining his authority after he was defeated in the national vote to his left-wing rival, Lula.
Top judicial officials said that he had knowledge of a scheme which involved plans to kill Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Alckmin, and to detain and kill Alexandre de Moraes - the Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
The plot was thwarted because it failed to get the endorsement of the army and air force commanders. Lula was took office without problem on the first day of 2023.
But a following week, on January 8th, numerous Bolsonaro supporters invaded and destroyed public facilities in the federal district, Brasília.
The security forces took action and around approximately 1,500 persons were arrested.
The judges found that the demonstrators had been incited by Bolsonaro whose strategy, they said, was for the national armed forces to intervene, restore order and return him to office.
At the time, his attorneys called the 27 years and three months sentence extremely harsh.
He was also barred from seeking elected position until 2060 - eight years later after the completion of his term.
The ex-leader called the trial a political persecution and said it was intended to stop him participating in the 2026 national vote.
